"Hello My Name Is Coal" is a powerful work of personification sung by West Virginia native Kathy Mattea. Written by Larry Cordle and Jenee Fleenor, the song personifies the night black mineral of coal in all of its benefits and in all of its curses. Mattea has this to say about the song and those behind it:

This song knocks me out because it dares to tackle the complexity of the subject of coal in a three minute song. For many people back in Appalachia and beyond, coal is both a blessing and a curse, and much of the time there’s no easy way to talk about it. Larry and Jenee did a beautiful job of opening up the subject, in a three minute song. The pictures came from filmmaker friends and photographer friends. I wanted to include real pictures of the coalfields, and real people. I think there’s a beauty and depth to them, especially in black and white. We were lucky to be able to collaborate with these great artists. The last face is my grandfather, all suited up for the night shift in 1940 in Fayette County, West Virginia. Becky Fluke did a beautiful job with this video — she is such a talented director and has accomplished much at a young age. What a joy it was to work with her.

I'm from West 'by God' Virginia And the high Kentucky hills I'm dirty but I'm honest I pay a poor man's bills I'm prosperity and poverty I'm a scoundrel and a saint I'm loved, reviled, misunderstood I'm hope in a hopeless placeHello, my name is coal And around here I'm the king Some say I'm a savior Some say death is what I bring I've broke miner's backs & hearts And I've wrestled for their souls Let me introduce myself Hello, my name is coalSome men call me 'black gold' You might have heard of me My body is the mountain My breath is kerosene You might think I'm outta date But if I'm out of style and old Why do men still dig me All around the globe?Hello, my name is coal And around here I'm the queen Some say I'm cheap and easy Oh but they still bow to me Be careful, I'll break up your home And I'll steal away your soul It's dangerous to lust for me Hello, my name is coalThey curse me now for what I am But not that long ago They sang my praises everywhere Hello, my name is coal